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Best lens for portrait


5 years 10 months ago #587027 by shielacastillo
Hi guys! What's the best lens for portraits? My camera's Fujifilm XT2. Thank you!
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5 years 10 months ago #587169 by garyrhook
Portrait lenses are typically in the 75mm to 135mm range. You'll find a shorter length good for group shots, and longer can be fun for depth of field.

Do not let any one tell you that you get an "equivalent focal length of such-and-such" on a smaller sensor. You don't, because the focal length is a physical property that doesn't change. (The Fuji site, typically, has this wrong, too.) What does change is the view angle, and this is a geometry issue for the rendering of the image on the sensor. Suffice it to say that a smaller sensor will give you a smaller view angle, but for flattering portraits, think 85mm or longer. You just make it work. Ignore the marketing lies and stick to physics and geometry.

50mm is not a portrait lens. Too close, and (IMO) it distorts the shape of the face. Full body, etc, it's fine.

If it is in your budget, that XF50-140 looks sweet. If you want a prime, the 80mm f/2.8 or 90mm f/2 would be good choices.
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5 years 10 months ago #587190 by KCook
The 56mm f/1.2 could work for general portraits. A little short for head shots. The 135 f/2 would be nice outdoors, maybe too long for a home studio.

Kelly Cook
Canon 50D, Olympus PL2
kellycook.zenfolio.com/
The following user(s) said Thank You: shielacastillo
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5 years 10 months ago #587204 by Ozzie_Traveller
G'day mate

As Gary points out - don't get caught by buying what magazines and non-portrait shooters quote from magazines, and the so-called 'nifty-fifty' isn't a magic all-rounder suitable for portraiture as many claim. For myself, I shoot portraits using anything from 85mm to 300mm ... it all depends on what I want of the background bokeh vs the location / distance to the subject

Phil from the great land Downunder
www.flickr.com/photos/ozzie_traveller/sets/
Phil from the great land Downunder
www.flickr.com/photos/ozzie_traveller/sets/
The following user(s) said Thank You: shielacastillo
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5 years 10 months ago #588120 by fmw
I used to do some executive portraiture for annual reports.  Most of the time I tried to shoot the executive doing what he or she does at work.  Most of those were shot with medium format cameras with a modest wide angle lens.  I generally shot head or torso portraits with a modest telephoto lens.  I did studio fashion shots with a medium telephoto as long as I had the room.  Outdoor fashion shots were often made with long lenses.  The point is that there is no such thing as a portrait lens.  There is only a good lens for the particular application.  Don't let people put you in a box.  Use what you have to its best advantage.
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5 years 10 months ago #588478 by shielacastillo
Thanks guys! I'll keep in mind your suggestions. But I also have to consider my budget :)  Thanks once again!
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